Control information sending method and control information receiving method, and apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present application discloses a control information sending method that includes: determining, by the user equipment, a first pattern from a preset set of patterns, wherein the pattern corresponds to an aggregation level for control information in each subframe of multiple subframes, and/or a resource indicator for a resource that is used for the control information in each subframe of the multiple subframes; and acquiring, by the user equipment, the control information mapped on the resource in each subframe of the multiple subframes according to the first pattern.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/382,345, filed on Apr. 12, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/981,487, filed on Dec. 28, 2015, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,284,348, which is a continuation of International PatentApplication No. PCT/CN2013/078397, filed on Jun. 28, 2013. All of theafore-mentioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by referencein their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the communications field, and inparticular, to a control information sending method, a controlinformation receiving method, and an apparatus thereof.

BACKGROUND

A Long Term Evolution (LTE) project evolves from 3G. The LTE projectimproves and enhances an over-the-air access technology of 3G, andimproves performance of a cell-edge user. In an LTE system, reliabilityof information transmission is one of issues that an operator caresabout, where reliable transmission of control information is a premiseof normal communication.

In the prior art, a control information transmission method is provided,which is specifically: performing, in an LTE system, transmission ofcontrol information by using a physical downlink control channel(PDCCH). When a base station needs to send control information to UE,the base station first determines an aggregation level that is used fortransmitting the control information, determines, from candidate PDCCHsincluded in search space corresponding to the aggregation level, acandidate PDCCH as a PDCCH carrying the control information, and sendsthe control information to the UE in a downlink subframe by using thePDCCH. The UE blindly detects, in the downlink subframe and in searchspace corresponding to each aggregation level, the PDCCH. Whendetermining the PDCCH that the base station provides for the UE, the UEacquires the control information.

Since a base station can perform mapping and transmission of the controlinformation in only one downlink subframe, reliability of controlinformation transmission is relatively low.

SUMMARY

To improve reliability of control information transmission, embodimentsof the disclosure provide a control information transmission method andan apparatus. The technical solutions are as follows:

A control information sending method is provided, where the methodincludes:

-   -   determining, from a preset set of patterns, a pattern as a first        pattern, where the preset set of patterns includes one or more        patterns, and the pattern determines an aggregation level that        is used for transmitting, in each subframe of multiple        subframes, control information and/or determines a resource        indicator for a resource that is used for transmitting, in each        subframe of the multiple subframes, the control information;    -   determining, according to the first pattern, a resource that is        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information, and mapping the control        information to the resource that is used for transmitting, in        each subframe of the multiple subframes, the control        information; and sending the mapped control information by using        a physical channel.

The aggregation level indicates a quantity of control elements or aquantity of physical resource blocks that are used for transmitting thecontrol information.

The resource indicator for the used resource is a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that can be provided by a singlesubframe, of a start resource in the used resource, a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by user equipment, of a start resource in theused resource, a location indicator indicating a location, in allresources that are at an aggregation level in a single subframe and thatcan be processed by user equipment, of a start resource in the usedresource, a location indicator indicating a location, in all resourcesthat can be provided by a single subframe, of the used resource, alocation indicator indicating a location, in all resources that are in asingle subframe and that can be processed by user equipment, of the usedresource, an index of a candidate physical control channel in allcandidate physical control channels that are provided by search spacecorresponding to an aggregation level in a single subframe, an index, inall resources that can be provided by a single subframe, of the usedresource, or an index, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by user equipment, of the used resource.

The resource includes one or more of a time resource, a frequencyresource, a codeword resource, and a power resource, and a size of theresource is predetermined. More specifically, the resource is: onecontrol channel element, a control channel element set composed ofmultiple control channel elements, one enhanced control channel element,an enhanced control channel element set composed of multiple enhancedcontrol channel elements, one physical resource block, multiple physicalresource blocks, one resource element, multiple resource elements, onesub-band, or multiple sub-bands.

A control information receiving method is provided, where the methodincludes:

-   -   determining, from a preset set of patterns, a pattern as a first        pattern, where the preset set of patterns includes one or more        patterns, and the pattern determines an aggregation level that        is used for transmitting, in each subframe of multiple        subframes, control information and/or determines a resource        indicator for a resource that is used for transmitting, in each        subframe of the multiple subframes, the control information; and    -   acquiring, according to the first pattern, the control        information on a resource, to which the control information is        mapped, in each subframe of the multiple subframes.

A base station is provided, where the base station includes:

-   -   a determining unit, configured to determine, from a preset set        of patterns, a pattern as a first pattern, where the preset set        of patterns includes one or more patterns, and the pattern        determines an aggregation level that is used for transmitting,        in each subframe of multiple subframes, control information        and/or determines a resource indicator for a resource that is        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information;    -   a mapping unit, configured to: determine, according to the first        pattern determined by the determining unit, a resource that is        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information, and map the control        information to the resource that is used for transmitting, in        each subframe of the multiple subframes, the control        information; and    -   a sending unit, configured to send, by using a physical channel,        the control information mapped by the mapping unit.

User equipment (UE) is provided, where the UE includes:

-   -   a determining unit, configured to determine, from a preset set        of patterns, a pattern as a first pattern, where the preset set        of patterns includes one or more patterns, and the pattern        determines an aggregation level that is used for transmitting,        in each subframe of multiple subframes, control information        and/or determines a resource indicator for a resource that is        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information; and    -   an acquisition unit, configured to acquire, according to the        first pattern determined by the determining unit, the control        information on a resource, to which the control information is        mapped, in each subframe of the multiple subframes.

A base station is provided, where the base station includes:

-   -   a processor, configured to determine, from a preset set of        patterns, a pattern as a first pattern, where the preset set of        patterns includes one or more patterns, and the pattern        determines an aggregation level that is used for transmitting,        in each subframe of multiple subframes, control information        and/or determines a resource indicator for a resource that is        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information, where    -   the processor is further configured to: determine, according to        the first pattern, a resource that is used for transmitting, in        each subframe of the multiple subframes, the control        information, and map the control information to the resource        that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information; and    -   a transmitter, configured to send, by using a physical channel,        the control information mapped by the processor.

User equipment (UE) is provided, where the UE includes:

-   -   a processor, configured to determine, from a preset set of        patterns, a pattern as a first pattern, where the preset set of        patterns includes one or more patterns, and the pattern        determines an aggregation level that is used for transmitting,        in each subframe of multiple subframes, control information        and/or determines a resource indicator for a resource that is        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information, where    -   the processor is further configured to acquire, according to the        first pattern, the control information on a resource, to which        the control information is mapped, in each subframe of the        multiple subframes.

In the embodiments of the disclosure, a pattern is determined, from apreset set of patterns, as a first pattern, where the preset set ofpatterns includes one or more patterns. The pattern determines anaggregation level that is used for transmitting, in each subframe ofmultiple subframes, control information and/or determines a resourceindicator for a resource that is used for transmitting, in each subframeof the multiple subframes, the control information. A resource that isused for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, thecontrol information is determined according to the first pattern. Thecontrol information is mapped to the resource that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation, and the mapped control information is sent by using aphysical channel. In this way, the control information is mapped andtransmitted in the multiple subframes, and reliability of controlinformation transmission is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a control information sending method accordingto Embodiment 1 of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a control information sending method accordingto Embodiment 2 of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control information receiving methodaccording to Embodiment 3 of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a control information receiving methodaccording to Embodiment 4 of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a base station according toEmbodiment 5 of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of UE according to Embodiment 6of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a base station according toEmbodiment 7 of the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of UE according to Embodiment 8of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of thepresent application clearer, the following further describes theembodiments of the disclosure in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

Referring to FIG. 1, this embodiment of the disclosure provides acontrol information sending method, including:

Step 101: Determine, from a preset set of patterns, a pattern as a firstpattern, where the preset set of patterns includes one or more patterns,and the pattern determines an aggregation level that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of multiple subframes, controlinformation and/or determines a resource indicator for a resource thatis used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes,the control information.

The aggregation level indicates a quantity of control elements or aquantity of physical resource blocks that are used for transmitting thecontrol information.

The resource indicator for the used resource is one or more of thefollowing: a location indicator indicating a location, in all resourcesthat can be provided by a single subframe, of a start resource in theused resource; a location indicator indicating a location, in allresources that are in a single subframe and that can be processed byuser equipment, of a start resource in the used resource; a locationindicator indicating a location, in all resources that are at anaggregation level in a single subframe and that can be processed by userequipment, of a start resource in the used resource; a locationindicator indicating a location, in all resources that can be providedby a single subframe, of the used resource; a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by user equipment, of the used resource; anindex of a candidate physical control channel in all candidate physicalcontrol channels that are provided by search space corresponding to anaggregation level in a single subframe; an index, in all resources thatcan be provided by a single subframe, of the used resource; and anindex, in all resources that are in a single subframe and that can beprocessed by user equipment, of the used resource.

The resource includes one or more of a time resource, a frequencyresource, a codeword resource, and a power resource, and a size of theresource is predetermined. More specifically, the resource is: onecontrol channel element, a control channel element set composed ofmultiple control channel elements, one enhanced control channel element,an enhanced control channel element set composed of multiple enhancedcontrol channel elements, one physical resource block, multiple physicalresource blocks, one resource element, multiple resource elements, onesub-band, or multiple sub-bands.

Step 102: Determine, according to the first pattern, a resource that isused for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, thecontrol information, and map the control information to the resourcethat is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiplesubframes, the control information.

Step 103: Send the mapped control information by using a physicalchannel.

In this embodiment of the disclosure, a pattern is determined, from apreset set of patterns, as a first pattern, where the preset set ofpatterns includes one or more patterns, and the pattern determines anaggregation level that is used for transmitting, in each subframe ofmultiple subframes, control information and/or determines a resourceindicator for a resource that is used for transmitting, in each subframeof the multiple subframes, the control information. A resource that isused for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, thecontrol information is determined according to the first pattern. Thecontrol information is mapped to the resource that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation, and the mapped control information is sent by using aphysical channel. In this way, the control information is mapped andtransmitted in the multiple subframes, and reliability of controlinformation transmission is improved.

Embodiment 2

As shown in FIG. 2, this embodiment of the disclosure provides a controlinformation sending method, where the method includes:

Step 201: A base station determines, from a preset set of patterns, apattern as a first pattern.

The preset set of patterns includes one or more patterns, and thepattern determines an aggregation level that is used for transmitting,in each subframe of multiple subframes, control information and/ordetermines a resource indicator for a resource that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation.

The aggregation level indicates a quantity of control elements or aquantity of physical resource blocks that are used for transmitting thecontrol information.

The resource indicator for the used resource is one or more of thefollowing: a location indicator indicating a location, in all resourcesthat can be provided by a single subframe, of a start resource in theused resource; a location indicator indicating a location, in allresources that are in a single subframe and that can be processed byuser equipment, of a start resource in the used resource; a locationindicator indicating a location, in all resources that are at anaggregation level in a single subframe and that can be processed by userequipment, of a start resource in the used resource; a locationindicator indicating a location, in all resources that can be providedby a single subframe, of the used resource; a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by user equipment, of the used resource; anindex of a candidate physical control channel in all candidate physicalcontrol channels that are provided by search space corresponding to anaggregation level in a single subframe; an index, in all resources thatcan be provided by a single subframe, of the used resource; and anindex, in all resources that are in a single subframe and that can beprocessed by user equipment, of the used resource.

The resource includes one or more of a time resource, a frequencyresource, a codeword resource, and a power resource, and a size of theresource is predetermined. More specifically, the resource is: onecontrol channel element, a control channel element set composed ofmultiple control channel elements, one enhanced control channel element,an enhanced control channel element set composed of multiple enhancedcontrol channel elements, one physical resource block, multiple physicalresource blocks, one resource element, multiple resource elements, onesub-band, or multiple sub-bands.

Preferably, the pattern further determines a control information formatand/or power setting information that are/is used for transmitting, ineach subframe of the multiple subframes, the control information.

A characteristic parameter of UE is determined, where each pattern ofthe preset set of patterns is corresponding to a characteristicparameter. A pattern corresponding to the characteristic parameter ofthe UE is determined, according to a correspondence between acharacteristic parameter and a pattern, as the first pattern. Thecharacteristic parameter may be: a path loss value or path loss range, areference signal received power value or reference signal received powerrange, a reference signal received quality value or reference signalreceived quality range, a channel quality information value or channelquality information range, or a service type, a power savingrequirement, a delay requirement, a quality of times a pre-specifiedchannel is successfully detected, or a mobility requirement.

In this embodiment of the disclosure, this step may also be: determininga characteristic parameter of UE, determining, according to acorrespondence between a characteristic parameter and an index of apattern, an index of a pattern corresponding to the characteristicparameter of the UE, and determining, from a preset set of patternsaccording to the determined index of the pattern, a correspondingpattern as a first pattern.

The aggregation level is used to indicate a quantity of control elementsor a quantity of physical resource blocks that are used for transmittingthe control information. The aggregation level may be corresponding tosearch space, and the search space corresponding to the aggregationlevel may provide multiple resources.

The pattern included in the preset set of patterns is one or morepatterns that are determined according to a control element, a channelvariation characteristic, a coverage enhancement degree, and/or ascheduling characteristic that are available in each subframe.Alternatively, the pattern included in the preset set of patterns is apattern pre-specified by a system.

For example, subframes used for transmitting the control informationinclude four subframes, and it is assumed that the four subframes aresubframes 1, 2, 3, and 4. The preset set of patterns includes thefollowing four patterns: pattern 1, pattern 2, pattern 3, and pattern 4,and an aggregation level that is used for transmitting, in each subframeof the four subframes, the control information and a resource indicatorfor a resource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of thefour subframes, the control information are determined in each pattern.In this embodiment, the resource indicator for the used resource is anindex of a control channel element set in all control channel elementsets provided by search space corresponding to an aggregation level in asingle subframe.

For pattern 1, the following are separately determined. Firstly, that anaggregation level used for transmitting, in the subframe 1, the controlinformation is 4, and a control channel element set whose index insearch space corresponding to the used aggregation level 4 is 0.Secondly, that an aggregation level used for transmitting, in thesubframe 2, the control information is 4, and a control channel elementset whose index in search space corresponding to the used aggregationlevel 4 is 0. Thirdly, that an aggregation level used for transmitting,in the subframe 3, the control information is 4, and a control channelelement set whose index in search space corresponding to the usedaggregation level 4 is 0. And fourthly, that an aggregation level usedfor transmitting, in the subframe 4, the control information is 4, and acontrol channel element set whose index in search space corresponding tothe used aggregation level 4 is 0. Meanings indicated by the otherpatterns pattern 2, pattern 3, and pattern 4, can be similarly explainedand described as that of the pattern 1, and are not be described indetail herein.

-   -   {Pattern 1: {(4, 0), (4, 0), (4, 0), (4, 0)}    -   Pattern 2: {(4, 0), (4, 0), (4, 1), (4, 1)}    -   Pattern 3: {(8, 0), (8, 0), (8, 0), (8, 0)}    -   Pattern 4: {(8, 0), (8, 0), (8, 1), (8, 1)}}

Preferably, the base station notifies the UE of the preset set ofpatterns by using radio resource control (RRC) broadcast signaling, RRCdedicated signaling, media access control element (MAC CE) signaling, orphysical layer signaling.

In this embodiment, the base station may add a field to the RRCbroadcast signaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling,or the physical layer signaling, where the field is used to configurethe preset set of patterns.

Correspondingly, the base station may send, to the UE, the RRC broadcastsignaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or thephysical layer signaling, where the preset set of patterns is configuredin the field added to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicatedsignaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling, so asto notify the UE of the preset set of patterns.

Preferably, the base station may add a field to a master informationblock (MIB) or a system information block (SIB) of the RRC broadcastsignaling, where the field is used to configure the preset set ofpatterns.

Correspondingly, the base station may send the RRC broadcast signalingto the UE, where the preset set of patterns is configured in the fieldadded to the MIB or the SIB of the RRC broadcast signaling, so as tonotify the UE of the preset set of patterns.

In this embodiment, the base station may add an information element tothe RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CEsignaling, or the physical layer signaling, where the informationelement is used to configure the preset set of patterns.

Correspondingly, the base station may send, to the UE, the RRC broadcastsignaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or thephysical layer signaling, where the preset set of patterns is configuredin the information element added to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRCdedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling, so as to notify the UE of the preset set of patterns.

Preferably, the base station may add an information element to an MIB oran SIB of the RRC broadcast signaling, where the information element isused to configure the preset set of patterns.

Correspondingly, the base station may send the RRC broadcast signalingto the UE, where the preset set of patterns is configured in theinformation element added to the MIB or the SIB of the RRC broadcastsignaling, so as to notify the UE of the preset set of patterns.

Preferably, the base station determines a corresponding set of patternsfor the UE, where the set of patterns corresponding to the UE is one ormore patterns included in the preset set of patterns; and determines,from the set of patterns corresponding to the UE, a pattern as the firstpattern.

Preferably, the base station notifies, by using RRC dedicated signaling,MAC CE signaling, or physical layer signaling, the UE of the set ofpatterns corresponding to the UE.

In this embodiment of the disclosure, the base station may add a fieldto the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physicallayer signaling, where the field is used to configure the set ofpatterns corresponding to the UE.

Correspondingly, the base station may send, to the UE, the RRC broadcastsignaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or thephysical layer signaling, where the set of patterns corresponding to theUE is configured in the field added to the RRC broadcast signaling, theRRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling, so as to notify the UE of the set of patterns correspondingto the UE.

Preferably, the base station may add a field to an MIB or an SIB of theRRC broadcast signaling, where the field is used to configure the set ofpatterns corresponding to the UE.

Correspondingly, the base station may send the RRC broadcast signalingto the UE, where the set of patterns corresponding to the UE isconfigured in the field added to the MIB or the SIB of the RRC broadcastsignaling, so as to notify the UE of the set of patterns correspondingto the UE.

In this embodiment, the base station may add an information element tothe RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling, where the information element is used to configure the set ofpatterns corresponding to the UE.

Correspondingly, the base station may send, to the UE, the RRC dedicatedsignaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling, wherethe set of patterns corresponding to the UE is configured in theinformation element added to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRCdedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling, so as to notify the UE of the set of patterns correspondingto the UE.

Preferably, the base station may add an information element to an MIB oran SIB of the RRC broadcast signaling, where the information element isused to configure the set of patterns corresponding to the UE.

Correspondingly, the base station may send the RRC broadcast signalingto the UE, where the set of patterns corresponding to the UE isconfigured in the information element added to the MIB or the SIB of theRRC broadcast signaling, so as to notify the UE of the set of patternscorresponding to the UE.

Preferably, the base station may further notify, by using RRC dedicatedsignaling, MAC CE signaling, or physical layer signaling, the UE of thedetermined first pattern.

In this embodiment, the base station may add a field to the RRCdedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling, where the field is used to configure the determined firstpattern.

Correspondingly, the base station may send, to the UE, the RRC dedicatedsignaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling, wherethe determined first pattern is configured in the field added to the RRCbroadcast signaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling,or the physical layer signaling, so as to notify the UE of thedetermined first pattern.

Preferably, the base station may add a field to an MIB or an SIB of theRRC broadcast signaling, where the field is used to configure thedetermined first pattern.

Correspondingly, the base station may send the RRC broadcast signalingto the UE, where the determined first pattern is configured in the fieldadded to the MIB or the SIB of the RRC broadcast signaling, so as tonotify the UE of the determined first pattern.

In this embodiment, the base station may add an information element tothe RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling, where the information element is used to configure thedetermined first pattern.

Correspondingly, the base station may send, to the UE, the RRC dedicatedsignaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling, wherethe determined first pattern is configured in the information elementadded to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, theMAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling, so as to notify theUE of the determined first pattern.

Preferably, the base station may add an information element to an MIB oran SIB of the RRC broadcast signaling, where the information element isused to configure the determined first pattern.

Correspondingly, the base station may send the RRC broadcast signalingto the UE, where the determined first pattern is configured in theinformation element added to the MIB or the SIB of the RRC broadcastsignaling, so as to notify the UE of the determined first pattern.

Step 202: The base station determines, according to the determined firstpattern, a resource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe ofmultiple subframes, control information.

Specifically, if the first pattern determines an aggregation level thatis used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes,the control information, the base station determines, according to thefirst pattern, the aggregation level that is used for transmitting, ineach subframe of the multiple subframes, the control information, anddetermines, in search space corresponding to the aggregation level usedin each subframe, the resource that is used for transmitting, in eachsubframe, the control information.

If the first pattern determines a resource indicator for a resource thatis used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes,the control information, the base station determines, from a presetsupportable aggregation level, an aggregation level that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe, the control information, and determines,according to the first pattern, separately in search space correspondingto the aggregation level used in each subframe, the resource that isused for transmitting, in each subframe, the control information.

If the first pattern determines an aggregation level that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation, and the first pattern determines a resource indicator for aresource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiplesubframes, the control information, the base station determines,according to the first pattern, the aggregation level and the resourceindicator for the resource. The aggregation level and the resource areused for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, thecontrol information, and the base station determines, according to theresource indicator for the resource used in each subframe, separately insearch space corresponding to the aggregation level used in eachsubframe, the resource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe,the control information.

Step 203: The base station separately maps to-be-sent controlinformation to the resource that is used for transmitting, in eachsubframe of the multiple subframes, the control information.

A resource indicated by the determined resource indicator is theresource that is used for transmitting the control information. Theresource includes one or more of a time resource, a frequency resource,a codeword resource, and a power resource, and a size of the resource ispredetermined. More specifically, the resource may be: one controlchannel element, a control channel element set composed of multiplecontrol channel elements, one enhanced control channel element, anenhanced control channel element set composed of multiple enhancedcontrol channel elements, one physical resource block, multiple physicalresource blocks, one resource element, multiple resource elements, onesub-band, or multiple sub-bands. The base station separately maps theto-be-sent control information to the resource that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe, the control information.

Step 204: The base station sends the to-be-sent control information byusing a physical channel.

In this embodiment, a pattern is determined, from a preset set ofpatterns, as a first pattern, where the preset set of patterns includesone or more patterns, and the pattern determines an aggregation levelthat is used for transmitting, in each subframe of multiple subframes,control information and/or determines a resource indicator for aresource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiplesubframes, the control information. A resource that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation is determined according to the first pattern. The controlinformation is mapped to the resource that is used for transmitting, ineach subframe of the multiple subframes, the control information, andthe mapped control information is sent by using a physical channel. Inthis way, the control information is mapped and transmitted in themultiple subframes, and reliability of control information transmissionis improved.

Embodiment 3

Referring to FIG. 3, this embodiment of the disclosure provides acontrol information receiving method, including:

Step 301: Determine, from a preset set of patterns, a pattern as a firstpattern, where the preset set of patterns includes one or more patterns,and the pattern determines an aggregation level that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of multiple subframes, controlinformation and/or determines a resource indicator for a resource thatis used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes,the control information.

The aggregation level indicates a quantity of control elements or aquantity of physical resource blocks that are used for transmitting thecontrol information.

The resource indicator for the used resource is one or more of thefollowing: a location indicator indicating a location, in all resourcesthat can be provided by a single subframe, of a start resource in theused resource; a location indicator indicating a location, in allresources that are in a single subframe and that can be processed byuser equipment, of a start resource in the used resource; a locationindicator indicating a location, in all resources that are at anaggregation level in a single subframe and that can be processed by userequipment, of a start resource in the used resource; a locationindicator indicating a location, in all resources that can be providedby a single subframe, of the used resource, a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by user equipment, of the used resource; anindex of a candidate physical control channel in all candidate physicalcontrol channels that are provided by search space corresponding to anaggregation level in a single subframe; an index, in all resources thatcan be provided by a single subframe, of the used resource; and anindex, in all resources that are in a single subframe and that can beprocessed by user equipment, of the used resource.

The resource includes one or more of a time resource, a frequencyresource, a codeword resource, and a power resource, and a size of theresource is predetermined. More specifically, the resource may be: onecontrol channel element, a control channel element set composed ofmultiple control channel elements, one enhanced control channel element,an enhanced control channel element set composed of multiple enhancedcontrol channel elements, one physical resource block, multiple physicalresource blocks, one resource element, multiple resource elements, onesub-band, or multiple sub-bands.

Step 302: Acquire, according to the first pattern, the controlinformation on a resource, to which the control information is mapped,in each subframe of the multiple subframes.

In this embodiment of the disclosure, a pattern is determined, from apreset set of patterns, as a first pattern, where the preset set ofpatterns includes one or more patterns. The pattern determines anaggregation level that is used for transmitting, in each subframe ofmultiple subframes, control information and/or determines a resourceindicator for a resource that is used for transmitting, in each subframeof the multiple subframes, the control information. The controlinformation is acquired, according to the first pattern, on a resource,to which the control information is mapped, in each subframe of themultiple subframes. In this way, the control information is mapped andtransmitted in the multiple subframes, and reliability of controlinformation transmission is improved.

Embodiment 4

Referring to FIG. 4, this embodiment of the disclosure provides acontrol information receiving method, including:

Step 401: UE determines, from a preset set of patterns, a pattern as afirst pattern.

The preset set of patterns includes one or more patterns, and thepattern determines an aggregation level that is used for transmitting,in each subframe of multiple subframes, control information and/ordetermines a resource indicator for a resource that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of multiple subframes, the controlinformation.

Each pattern of the preset set of patterns corresponds to acharacteristic parameter. The UE determines a characteristic parameterof the UE and determines, according to a correspondence between acharacteristic parameter and a pattern, a pattern corresponding to thecharacteristic parameter of the UE as the first pattern. Thecharacteristic parameter may be: a path loss value or range, a referencesignal received power value or range, a reference signal receivedquality value or range, a channel quality information value or range, aservice type, a power saving requirement, a delay requirement, a qualityof times a pre-specified channel is successfully detected, or a mobilityrequirement.

In this embodiment, this step may also be: determining, by UE, acharacteristic parameter of the UE, determining, according to acorrespondence between a characteristic parameter and an index of apattern, an index of a pattern corresponding to the characteristicparameter of the UE, and determining, from a preset set of patternsaccording to the determined index of the pattern, a correspondingpattern as a first pattern.

Preferably, the pattern included in the preset set of patterns furtherdetermines a control information format and/or power setting informationthat are/is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiplesubframes, the control information.

Further, before determining, from the preset set of patterns, a patternas the first pattern, the UE acquires the preset set of patterns that isnotified, by a base station, by using RRC broadcast signaling, RRCdedicated signaling, MAC CE signaling, or physical layer signaling.

In this embodiment, the base station notifies the UE of the preset setof patterns by using the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicatedsignaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling.

Preferably, the base station adds a field to the RRC broadcastsignaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or thephysical layer signaling, where the added field is used to configure thepreset set of patterns.

Correspondingly, the base station may send, to the UE, the RRC broadcastsignaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or thephysical layer signaling, where the preset set of patterns is configuredin the field added to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicatedsignaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling.

The UE receives the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicatedsignaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling that issent by the base station, where the field is added, by the base station,to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CEsignaling, or the physical layer signaling, and the added field is usedto configure the preset set of patterns; and determines the preset setof patterns according to the added field.

Preferably, the base station adds an information element to the RRCbroadcast signaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling,or the physical layer signaling, where the added information element isused to configure the preset set of patterns.

Correspondingly, the base station may send, to the UE, the RRC broadcastsignaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or thephysical layer signaling, where the preset set of patterns is configuredin the information element added to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRCdedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling.

The UE receives the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicatedsignaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling that issent by the base station, where the information element is added, by thebase station, to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicatedsignaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling, andthe added information element is used to configure the preset set ofpatterns; and determines the preset set of patterns according to theadded information element.

In this embodiment, the UE may receive RRC dedicated signaling, MAC CEsignaling, or physical layer signaling that is sent by a base station,where a field or an information element is added, by the base station,to the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physicallayer signaling, the field or the information element is used toconfigure a set of patterns corresponding to the UE, and the set ofpatterns corresponding to the UE is one or more patterns included in thepreset set of patterns; determine, according to the field or theinformation element, the set of patterns corresponding to the UE; anddetermine, from the set of patterns corresponding to the UE, a patternas the first pattern.

In this embodiment, the base station may add a field to the RRCdedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling, where the field is used to configure the set of patternscorresponding to the UE.

Correspondingly, the base station may send, to the UE, the RRC dedicatedsignaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling, wherethe set of patterns corresponding to the UE is configured in the fieldadded to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, theMAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling, so as to notify theUE of the set of patterns corresponding to the UE.

Preferably, the base station may add a field to an MIB or an SIB of theRRC broadcast signaling, where the field is used to configure the set ofpatterns corresponding to the UE.

Correspondingly, the base station may send the RRC broadcast signalingto the UE, where the set of patterns corresponding to the UE isconfigured in the field added to the MIB or the SIB of the RRC broadcastsignaling, so as to notify the UE of the set of patterns correspondingto the UE.

In this embodiment, the base station may add an information element tothe RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling, where the information element is used to configure the set ofpatterns corresponding to the UE.

Correspondingly, the base station may send, to the UE, the RRC dedicatedsignaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling, wherethe set of patterns corresponding to the UE is configured in theinformation element added to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRCdedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling, so as to notify the UE of the set of patterns correspondingto the UE.

Step 402: The UE determines, according to the determined first pattern,a resource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of multiplesubframes, control information.

If the first pattern determines an aggregation level that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation, the UE determines, according to the first pattern, theaggregation level that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of themultiple subframes, the control information, and determines, in searchspace corresponding to the aggregation level used in each subframe, theresource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe, the controlinformation.

If the first pattern determines a resource indicator for a resource thatis used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes,the control information, the UE determines, from a preset supportableaggregation level, an aggregation level that is used for transmitting,in each subframe, the control information, and determines, according tothe first pattern, separately in search space corresponding to theaggregation level used in each subframe, the resource that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe, the control information.

If the first pattern determines an aggregation level that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation, and the first pattern determines a resource indicator for aresource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiplesubframes, the control information, the UE determines, according to thefirst pattern, the aggregation level and the resource indicator for theresource, where the aggregation level and the resource are used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation, and determines, according to the resource indicator for theresource used in each subframe, separately in search space correspondingto the aggregation level used in each subframe, the resource that isused for transmitting, in each subframe, the control information.

Step 403: The UE acquires the control information that is mapped to theresource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiplesubframes, the control information.

A resource indicated by the determined resource indicator is theresource that is used for transmitting the control information. Theresource includes one or more of a time resource, a frequency resource,a codeword resource, and a power resource, and a size of the resource ispredetermined. More specifically, the resource may be: one controlchannel element, a control channel element set composed of multiplecontrol channel elements, one enhanced control channel element, anenhanced control channel element set composed of multiple enhancedcontrol channel elements, one physical resource block, multiple physicalresource blocks, one resource element, multiple resource elements, onesub-band, or multiple sub-bands. The UE acquires the mapped controlinformation on the resource that is used for transmitting, in eachsubframe of the multiple subframes, the control information.

In this embodiment, a pattern is determined, from a preset set ofpatterns, as a first pattern, where the preset set of patterns includesone or more patterns, and the pattern determines an aggregation levelthat is used for transmitting, in each subframe of multiple subframes,control information and/or determines a resource indicator for aresource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiplesubframes, the control information. The control information is acquired,according to the first pattern, on a resource, to which the controlinformation is mapped, in each subframe of the multiple subframes. Inthis way, the control information is mapped and transmitted in themultiple subframes, and reliability of control information transmissionis improved.

Embodiment 5

Referring to FIG. 5, this embodiment of the disclosure provides a basestation, including:

-   -   a determining unit 501, configured to determine, from a preset        set of patterns, a pattern as a first pattern, where the preset        set of patterns includes one or more patterns, and the pattern        determines an aggregation level that is used for transmitting,        in each subframe of multiple subframes, control information        and/or determines a resource indicator for a resource that is        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information;    -   a mapping unit 502, configured to: determine, according to the        first pattern determined by the determining unit 501, a resource        that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information, and map the control        information to the resource that is used for transmitting, in        each subframe of the multiple subframes, the control        information; and    -   a sending unit 503, configured to send, by using a physical        channel, the control information mapped by the mapping unit 502.

The aggregation level indicates a quantity of control elements or aquantity of physical resource blocks that are used for transmitting thecontrol information.

The resource indicator for the used resource is a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that can be provided by a singlesubframe, of a start resource in the used resource, a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by user equipment, of a start resource in theused resource, a location indicator indicating a location, in allresources that are at an aggregation level in a single subframe and thatcan be processed by user equipment, of a start resource in the usedresource, a location indicator indicating a location, in all resourcesthat can be provided by a single subframe, of the used resource, alocation indicator indicating a location, in all resources that are in asingle subframe and that can be processed by user equipment, of the usedresource, an index of a candidate physical control channel in allcandidate physical control channels that are provided by search spacecorresponding to an aggregation level in a single subframe, an index, inall resources that can be provided by a single subframe, of the usedresource, or an index, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by user equipment, of the used resource.

The resource includes one or more of a time resource, a frequencyresource, a codeword resource, and a power resource, and a size of theresource is predetermined. More specifically, the resource is: onecontrol channel element, a control channel element set composed ofmultiple control channel elements, one enhanced control channel element,an enhanced control channel element set composed of multiple enhancedcontrol channel elements, one physical resource block, multiple physicalresource blocks, one resource element, multiple resource elements, onesub-band, or multiple sub-bands.

Preferably, the mapping unit 502 is configured to: determine, accordingto the first pattern, an aggregation level that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation, determine, in search space corresponding to the aggregationlevel used in each subframe, the resource that is used for transmitting,in each subframe, the control information, and map the controlinformation to the resource that is used for transmitting, in eachsubframe, the control information; or

-   -   the mapping unit 502 is configured to: determine, from a preset        supportable aggregation level, an aggregation level that is used        for transmitting, in each subframe, the control information,        determine, according to the first pattern, separately in search        space corresponding to the aggregation level used in each        subframe, the resource that is used for transmitting, in each        subframe, the control information, and map the control        information to the resource that is used for transmitting, in        each subframe, the control information; or    -   the mapping unit 502 is configured to: determine, according to        the first pattern, an aggregation level and a resource indicator        for a resource, where the aggregation level and the resource are        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information; determine, according to the        resource indicator for the resource used in each subframe,        separately in search space corresponding to the aggregation        level used in each subframe, the resource that is used for        transmitting, in each subframe, the control information; and map        the control information to the resource that is used for        transmitting, in each subframe, the control information.

Preferably, the pattern included in the preset set of patterns is one ormore patterns that are determined according to a control element, achannel variation characteristic, a coverage enhancement degree, and/ora scheduling characteristic that are available in each subframe.

Preferably, the pattern included in the preset set of patterns is apattern pre-specified by a system.

Preferably, the sending unit 503 is further configured to notify userequipment UE of the preset set of patterns by using radio resourcecontrol RRC broadcast signaling, RRC dedicated signaling, Media AccessControl control element MAC CE signaling, or physical layer signaling.

Further, the base station further includes:

-   -   an adding unit, configured to add a field or an information        element to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicated        signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layer        signaling, where the field or the information element is used to        configure the preset set of patterns.

The adding unit is configured to add a field or an information elementto a master information block MIB or a system information block SIB ofthe RRC broadcast signaling, where the field or the information elementis used to configure the preset set of patterns.

The determining unit 501 is configured to: determine a corresponding setof patterns for the UE, where the set of patterns corresponding to theUE is one or more patterns included in the preset set of patterns; anddetermine, from the set of patterns corresponding to the UE, a patternas the first pattern.

Further, the base station further includes:

-   -   a notification unit, configured to notify, by using radio        resource control RRC dedicated signaling, Media Access Control        control element MAC CE signaling, or physical layer signaling,        the UE of the set of patterns corresponding to the UE.

Further, the base station further includes:

-   -   an adding unit, configured to add a field or an information        element to the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or        the physical layer signaling, where the field or the information        element is used to configure the set of patterns corresponding        to the UE.

The notification unit is configured to notify, by using the RRCdedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling, the UE of an index, in the preset set of patterns, of thepattern included in the set of patterns corresponding to the UE, so thatthe UE determines, from the preset set of patterns according to theindex, in the preset set of patterns, of the pattern included in the setof patterns corresponding to the UE, the set of patterns correspondingto the UE.

The adding unit is configured to add a field or an information elementto the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physicallayer signaling, where the field or the information element is used toconfigure the index, in the preset set of patterns, of the patternincluded in the set of patterns corresponding to the UE.

The determining unit 501 is configured to: determine a characteristicparameter of user equipment, where each pattern of the preset set ofpatterns is corresponding to a characteristic parameter; and determine,according to a correspondence between a characteristic parameter and apattern, a pattern corresponding to the characteristic parameter of theuser equipment as the first pattern, where the characteristic parameteris: a path loss value or path loss range, or a reference signal receivedpower value or reference signal received power range, or a referencesignal received quality value or reference signal received qualityrange, or a channel quality information value or channel qualityinformation range, or a service type, or a power saving requirement, ora delay requirement, or a quality of times a pre-specified channel issuccessfully detected, or a mobility requirement.

The pattern further determines a control information format and/or apower setting that are/is used for transmitting, in each subframe of themultiple subframes, the control information.

The UE is notified, by using RRC dedicated signaling, MAC CE signaling,or physical layer signaling, of the determined first pattern.

In this embodiment, a pattern is determined, from a preset set ofpatterns, as a first pattern, where the preset set of patterns includesone or more patterns, and the pattern determines an aggregation levelthat is used for transmitting, in each subframe of multiple subframes,control information and/or determines a resource indicator for aresource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiplesubframes, the control information. A resource that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation is determined according to the first pattern. The controlinformation is mapped to the resource that is used for transmitting, ineach subframe of the multiple subframes, the control information, andthe mapped control information is sent by using a physical channel. Inthis way, the control information is mapped and transmitted in themultiple subframes, and reliability of control information transmissionis improved.

Embodiment 6

Referring to FIG. 6, this embodiment of the disclosure provides userequipment UE, including:

-   -   a determining unit 601, configured to determine, from a preset        set of patterns, a pattern as a first pattern, where the preset        set of patterns includes one or more patterns, and the pattern        determines an aggregation level that is used for transmitting,        in each subframe of multiple subframes, control information        and/or determines a resource indicator for a resource that is        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information; and    -   an acquisition unit 602, configured to acquire, according to the        first pattern determined by the determining unit 601, the        control information on a resource, to which the control        information is mapped, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes.

The aggregation level indicates a quantity of control elements or aquantity of physical resource blocks that are used for transmitting thecontrol information.

The resource indicator for the used resource is a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that can be provided by a singlesubframe, of a start resource in the used resource, a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by the user equipment, of a start resource inthe used resource, a location indicator indicating a location, in allresources that are at an aggregation level in a single subframe and thatcan be processed by the user equipment, of a start resource in the usedresource, a location indicator indicating a location, in all resourcesthat can be provided by a single subframe, of the used resource, alocation indicator indicating a location, in all resources that are in asingle subframe and that can be processed by the user equipment, of theused resource, an index of a candidate physical control channel in allcandidate physical control channels that are provided by search spacecorresponding to an aggregation level in a single subframe, an index, inall resources that can be provided by a single subframe, of the usedresource, or an index, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by the user equipment, of the used resource.

The resource includes one or more of a time resource, a frequencyresource, a codeword resource, and a power resource, and a size of theresource is predetermined. More specifically, the resource is: onecontrol channel element, a control channel element set composed ofmultiple control channel elements, one enhanced control channel element,an enhanced control channel element set composed of multiple enhancedcontrol channel elements, one physical resource block, multiple physicalresource blocks, one resource element, multiple resource elements, onesub-band, or multiple sub-bands.

Preferably, the acquisition unit 602 is configured to: determine,according to the first pattern, an aggregation level that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation, determine, in search space corresponding to the aggregationlevel used in each subframe, a resource that is used for transmitting,in each subframe, the control information, and acquire the controlinformation on the resource that is used for transmitting, in eachsubframe, the control information; or

-   -   the acquisition unit 602 is configured to: determine, from a        preset supportable aggregation level, an aggregation level that        is used for transmitting, in each subframe, the control        information, determine, according to the first pattern,        separately in search space corresponding to the aggregation        level used in each subframe, a resource that is used for        transmitting, in each subframe, the control information, and        acquire the control information on the resource that is used for        transmitting, in each subframe, the control information; or    -   the acquisition unit 602 is configured to: determine, according        to the first pattern, an aggregation level and a resource        indicator for a resource, where the aggregation level and the        resource are used for transmitting, in each subframe of multiple        subframes, the control information; determine, according to the        resource indicator for the resource used in each subframe,        separately in search space corresponding to the aggregation        level used in each subframe, a resource that is used for        transmitting, in each subframe, the control information, and        acquire the control information on the resource that is used for        transmitting, in each subframe, the control information.

The pattern included in the preset set of patterns is a patternpre-specified by a system.

Preferably, the UE further includes:

-   -   a receiving unit, configured to receive radio resource control        RRC broadcast signaling, RRC dedicated signaling, Media Access        Control control element MAC CE signaling, or physical layer        signaling that is sent by a base station, where a field or an        information element is added, by the base station, to the RRC        broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE        signaling, or the physical layer signaling, and the field or the        information element is used to configure the preset set of        patterns; and determine the preset set of patterns according to        the field or the information element.

A field or an information element is added, by the base station, to amaster information block MIB or a system information block SIB of theRRC broadcast signaling, where the field or the information element isused to configure the preset set of patterns.

The determining unit 601 is configured to: receive radio resourcecontrol RRC dedicated signaling, Media Access Control control elementMAC CE signaling, or physical layer signaling that is sent by a basestation, where a field or an information element is added, by the basestation, to the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or thephysical layer signaling, the field or the information element is usedto configure a set of patterns corresponding to the user equipment UE,and the set of patterns corresponding to the UE is one or more patternsincluded in the preset set of patterns; determine, according to thefield or the information element, the set of patterns corresponding tothe UE, and determine, from the set of patterns corresponding to the UE,a pattern as the first pattern.

The determining unit 601 is configured to receive radio resource controlRRC dedicated signaling, Media Access Control control element MAC CEsignaling, or physical layer signaling that is sent by a base station,where a field or an information element is added, by the base station,to the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physicallayer signaling, and the field or the information element is used toconfigure an index, in the preset set of patterns, of a pattern includedin a set of patterns corresponding to the user equipment UE; and

-   -   determine, from the preset set of patterns according to the        index, which is in the preset set of patterns and configured in        the field or the information element, of the pattern included in        the set of patterns corresponding to the UE, the set of patterns        corresponding to the UE, and determine, from the set of patterns        corresponding to the UE, a pattern as the first pattern.

The determining unit 601 is configured to: determine a characteristicparameter of the user equipment, where each pattern of the preset set ofpatterns is corresponding to a characteristic parameter; and determine,according to a correspondence between a characteristic parameter and apattern, a pattern corresponding to the characteristic parameter of theuser equipment as the first pattern, where the characteristic parameteris: a path loss value or range, or a reference signal received powervalue or range, or a reference signal received quality value or range,or a channel quality information value or range, or a service type, or apower saving requirement, or a delay requirement, or a quality of timesa pre-specified channel is successfully detected, or a mobilityrequirement.

The pattern determines a control information format and/or power settinginformation that are/is used for transmitting, in each subframe of themultiple subframes, the control information.

The determining unit 601 is configured to: receive signaling sent by abase station, where the signaling includes a configuration for the firstpattern, and the signaling is RRC dedicated signaling, MAC CE signaling,or physical layer signaling; and determine the first pattern accordingto the configuration for the first pattern.

In this embodiment, a pattern is determined, from a preset set ofpatterns, as a first pattern, where the preset set of patterns includesone or more patterns. And the pattern determines an aggregation levelthat is used for transmitting, in each subframe of multiple subframes,control information and/or determines a resource indicator for aresource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiplesubframes, the control information. The control information is acquired,according to the first pattern, on a resource, to which the controlinformation is mapped, in each subframe of the multiple subframes. Inthis way, the control information is mapped and transmitted in themultiple subframes, and reliability of control information transmissionis improved.

Embodiment 7

Referring to FIG. 7, this embodiment of the disclosure provides a basestation, including:

-   -   a processor 701, configured to determine, from a preset set of        patterns, a pattern as a first pattern, where the preset set of        patterns includes one or more patterns, and the pattern        determines an aggregation level that is used for transmitting,        in each subframe of multiple subframes, control information        and/or determines a resource indicator for a resource that is        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information, where    -   the processor 701 is further configured to: determine, according        to the first pattern, a resource that is used for transmitting,        in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the control        information, and map the control information to the resource        that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information; and    -   a transmitter 702, configured to send, by using a physical        channel, the control information mapped by the processor 701.

The aggregation level indicates a quantity of control elements or aquantity of physical resource blocks that are used for transmitting thecontrol information.

The resource indicator for the used resource is a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that can be provided by a singlesubframe, of a start resource in the used resource, a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by user equipment, of a start resource in theused resource, a location indicator indicating a location, in allresources that are at an aggregation level in a single subframe and thatcan be processed by user equipment, of a start resource in the usedresource, a location indicator indicating a location, in all resourcesthat can be provided by a single subframe, of the used resource, alocation indicator indicating a location, in all resources that are in asingle subframe and that can be processed by user equipment, of the usedresource, an index of a candidate physical control channel in allcandidate physical control channels that are provided by search spacecorresponding to an aggregation level in a single subframe, an index, inall resources that can be provided by a single subframe, of the usedresource, or an index, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by user equipment, of the used resource.

The resource includes one or more of a time resource, a frequencyresource, a codeword resource, and a power resource, and a size of theresource is predetermined. More specifically, the resource is: onecontrol channel element, a control channel element set composed ofmultiple control channel elements, one enhanced control channel element,an enhanced control channel element set composed of multiple enhancedcontrol channel elements, one physical resource block, multiple physicalresource blocks, one resource element, multiple resource elements, onesub-band, or multiple sub-bands.

The processor 701 is configured to: determine, according to the firstpattern, an aggregation level that is used for transmitting, in eachsubframe of the multiple subframes, the control information, determine,in search space corresponding to the aggregation level used in eachsubframe, the resource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe,the control information, and map the control information to the resourcethat is used for transmitting, in each subframe, the controlinformation; or

-   -   the processor 701 is configured to: determine, from a preset        supportable aggregation level, an aggregation level that is used        for transmitting, in each subframe, the control information,        determine, according to the first pattern, separately in search        space corresponding to the aggregation level used in each        subframe, the resource that is used for transmitting, in each        subframe, the control information, and map the control        information to the resource that is used for transmitting, in        each subframe, the control information; or    -   the processor 701 is configured to: determine, according to the        first pattern, an aggregation level and a resource indicator for        a resource, where the aggregation level and the resource are        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information; determine, according to the        resource indicator for the resource used in each subframe,        separately in search space corresponding to the aggregation        level used in each subframe, the resource that is used for        transmitting, in each subframe, the control information; and map        the control information to the resource that is used for        transmitting, in each subframe, the control information.

The pattern included in the preset set of patterns is one or morepatterns that are determined according to a control element, a channelvariation characteristic, a coverage enhancement degree, and/or ascheduling characteristic that are available in each subframe.

The pattern included in the preset set of patterns is a patternpre-specified by a system.

The transmitter 702 is further configured to notify user equipment UE ofthe preset set of patterns by using radio resource control RRC broadcastsignaling, RRC dedicated signaling, Media Access Control control elementMAC CE signaling, or physical layer signaling.

The processor 701 is further configured to add a field or an informationelement to the RRC broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, theMAC CE signaling, or the physical layer signaling, where the field orthe information element is used to configure the preset set of patterns.

The processor 701 is further configured to add a field or an informationelement to a master information block MIB or a system information blockSIB of the RRC broadcast signaling, where the field or the informationelement is used to configure the preset set of patterns.

The processor 701 is configured to: determine a corresponding set ofpatterns for the UE, where the set of patterns corresponding to the UEis one or more patterns included in the preset set of patterns; anddetermine, from the set of patterns corresponding to the UE, a patternas the first pattern.

The transmitter 702 is further configured to notify, by using radioresource control RRC dedicated signaling, Media Access Control controlelement MAC CE signaling, or physical layer signaling, the UE of the setof patterns corresponding to the UE.

The processor 701 is further configured to add a field or an informationelement to the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or thephysical layer signaling, where the field or the information element isused to configure the set of patterns corresponding to the UE.

The transmitter 702 is further configured to notify, by using the RRCdedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physical layersignaling, the UE of an index, in the preset set of patterns, of thepattern included in the set of patterns corresponding to the UE, so thatthe UE determines, from the preset set of patterns according to theindex, in the preset set of patterns, of the pattern included in the setof patterns corresponding to the UE, the set of patterns correspondingto the UE.

The processor 701 is further configured to add a field or an informationelement to the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or thephysical layer signaling, where the field or the information element isused to configure the index, in the preset set of patterns, of thepattern included in the set of patterns corresponding to the UE.

The processor 701 is further configured to: determine a characteristicparameter of user equipment, where a pattern included in the preset setof patterns is corresponding to a characteristic parameter; anddetermine, according to a correspondence between a characteristicparameter and a pattern, a pattern corresponding to the characteristicparameter of the user equipment as the first pattern, where thecharacteristic parameter is: a path loss value or path loss range, or areference signal received power value or reference signal received powerrange, or a reference signal received quality value or reference signalreceived quality range, or a channel quality information value orchannel quality information range, or a service type, or a power savingrequirement, or a delay requirement, or a quality of times apre-specified channel is successfully detected, or a mobilityrequirement.

The pattern further determines a control information format and/or apower setting that are/is used for transmitting, in each subframe of themultiple subframes, the control information.

The UE is notified, by using RRC dedicated signaling, MAC CE signaling,or physical layer signaling, of the determined first pattern.

In this embodiment, a pattern is determined, from a preset set ofpatterns, as a first pattern, where the preset set of patterns includesone or more patterns, and the pattern determines an aggregation levelthat is used for transmitting, in each subframe of multiple subframes,control information and/or determines a resource indicator for aresource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiplesubframes, the control information. A resource that is used fortransmitting, in each subframe of the multiple subframes, the controlinformation is determined according to the first pattern. The controlinformation is mapped to the resource that is used for transmitting, ineach subframe of the multiple subframes, the control information, andthe mapped control information is sent by using a physical channel. Inthis way, the control information is mapped and transmitted in themultiple subframes, and reliability of control information transmissionis improved.

Embodiment 8

Referring to FIG. 8, this embodiment of the disclosure provides userequipment UE, including:

-   -   a processor 801, configured to determine, from a preset set of        patterns, a pattern as a first pattern, where the preset set of        patterns includes one or more patterns, and the pattern        determines an aggregation level that is used for transmitting,        in each subframe of multiple subframes, control information        and/or determines a resource indicator for a resource that is        used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiple        subframes, the control information, where    -   the processor 801 is further configured to acquire, according to        the first pattern, the control information on a resource, to        which the control information is mapped, in each subframe of the        multiple subframes.

The aggregation level indicates a quantity of control elements or aquantity of physical resource blocks that are used for transmitting thecontrol information.

The resource indicator for the used resource is a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that can be provided by a singlesubframe, of a start resource in the used resource, a location indicatorindicating a location, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by the user equipment, of a start resource inthe used resource, a location indicator indicating a location, in allresources that are at an aggregation level in a single subframe and thatcan be processed by the user equipment, of a start resource in the usedresource, a location indicator indicating a location, in all resourcesthat can be provided by a single subframe, of the used resource, alocation indicator indicating a location, in all resources that are in asingle subframe and that can be processed by the user equipment, of theused resource, an index of a candidate physical control channel in allcandidate physical control channels that are provided by search spacecorresponding to an aggregation level in a single subframe, an index, inall resources that can be provided by a single subframe, of the usedresource, or an index, in all resources that are in a single subframeand that can be processed by the user equipment, of the used resource.

The resource includes one or more of a time resource, a frequencyresource, a codeword resource, and a power resource, and a size of theresource is predetermined. More specifically, the resource is: onecontrol channel element, a control channel element set composed ofmultiple control channel elements, one enhanced control channel element,an enhanced control channel element set composed of multiple enhancedcontrol channel elements, one physical resource block, multiple physicalresource blocks, one resource element, multiple resource elements, onesub-band, or multiple sub-bands.

The processor 801 is configured to: determine, according to the firstpattern, an aggregation level that is used for transmitting, in eachsubframe of the multiple subframes, the control information, determine,in search space corresponding to the aggregation level used in eachsubframe, a resource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe,the control information, and acquire the control information on theresource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe, the controlinformation; or

-   -   the processor 801 is configured to: determine, from a preset        supportable aggregation level, an aggregation level that is used        for transmitting, in each subframe, the control information,        determine, according to the first pattern, separately in search        space corresponding to the aggregation level used in each        subframe, a resource that is used for transmitting, in each        subframe, the control information, and acquire the control        information on the resource that is used for transmitting, in        each subframe, the control information; or    -   the processor 801 is configured to: determine, according to the        first pattern, an aggregation level and a resource indicator for        a resource, where the aggregation level and the resource are        used for transmitting, in each subframe of multiple subframes,        the control information; determine, according to the resource        indicator for the resource used in each subframe, separately in        search space corresponding to the aggregation level used in each        subframe, a resource that is used for transmitting, in each        subframe, the control information, and acquire the control        information on the resource that is used for transmitting, in        each subframe, the control information.

The pattern included in the preset set of patterns is a patternpre-specified by a system.

The UE further includes:

-   -   a receiver 802, configured to receive radio resource control RRC        broadcast signaling, RRC dedicated signaling, Media Access        Control control element MAC CE signaling, or physical layer        signaling that is sent by a base station, where a field or an        information element is added, by the base station, to the RRC        broadcast signaling, the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE        signaling, or the physical layer signaling, and the field or the        information element is used to configure the preset set of        patterns; and determine the preset set of patterns according to        the field or the information element.

A field or an information element is added, by the base station, to amaster information block MIB or a system information block SIB of theRRC broadcast signaling, where the field or the information element isused to configure the preset set of patterns.

The processor 801 is configured to: receive radio resource control RRCdedicated signaling, Media Access Control control element MAC CEsignaling, or physical layer signaling that is sent by a base station,where a field or an information element is added, by the base station,to the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physicallayer signaling, the field or the information element is used toconfigure a set of patterns corresponding to the user equipment UE, andthe set of patterns corresponding to the UE is one or more patternsincluded in the preset set of patterns; determine, according to thefield or the information element, the set of patterns corresponding tothe UE, and determine, from the set of patterns corresponding to the UE,a pattern as the first pattern.

The processor 801 is configured to receive radio resource control RRCdedicated signaling, Media Access Control control element MAC CEsignaling, or physical layer signaling that is sent by a base station,where a field or an information element is added, by the base station,to the RRC dedicated signaling, the MAC CE signaling, or the physicallayer signaling, and the field or the information element is used toconfigure an index, in the preset set of patterns, of a pattern includedin a set of patterns corresponding to the user equipment UE; and

-   -   determine, from the preset set of patterns according to the        index, which is in the preset set of patterns and configured in        the field or the information element, of the pattern included in        the set of patterns corresponding to the UE, the set of patterns        corresponding to the UE, and determine, from the set of patterns        corresponding to the UE, a pattern as the first pattern.

The processor 801 is configured to: determine a characteristic parameterof the user equipment, where a pattern included in the preset set ofpatterns is corresponding to a characteristic parameter; and determine,according to a correspondence between a characteristic parameter and apattern, a pattern corresponding to the characteristic parameter of theuser equipment as the first pattern, where the characteristic parameteris: a path loss value or range, or a reference signal received powervalue or range, or a reference signal received quality value or range,or a channel quality information value or range, or a service type, or apower saving requirement, or a delay requirement, or a quality of timesa pre-specified channel is successfully detected, or a mobilityrequirement.

The pattern determines a control information format and/or power settinginformation that are/is used for transmitting, in each subframe of themultiple subframes, the control information.

The processor 801 is configured to: receive signaling sent by a basestation, where the signaling includes a configuration for the firstpattern, and the signaling is RRC dedicated signaling, MAC CE signaling,or physical layer signaling; and determine the first pattern accordingto the configuration for the first pattern.

In this embodiment, a pattern is determined, from a preset set ofpatterns, as a first pattern, where the preset set of patterns includesone or more patterns. And the pattern determines an aggregation levelthat is used for transmitting, in each subframe of multiple subframes,control information and/or determines a resource indicator for aresource that is used for transmitting, in each subframe of the multiplesubframes, the control information. The control information is acquired,according to the first pattern, on a resource, to which the controlinformation is mapped, in each subframe of the multiple subframes. Inthis way, the control information is mapped and transmitted in themultiple subframes, and reliability of control information transmissionis improved.

A person of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or some ofthe steps of the embodiments may be implemented by hardware or a programinstructing related hardware. The program may be stored in acomputer-readable storage medium. The storage medium may include: aread-only memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

The foregoing descriptions are merely exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure, but are not intended to limit the presentdisclosure. Any modification, equivalent replacement, and improvementmade without departing from the spirit and principle of the presentdisclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the presentdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control information receiving method, comprising: determining, by a user equipment, a first pattern corresponding to a characteristic parameter of the user equipment from a preset set of patterns, the first pattern corresponding to one or both of an aggregation level for control information in each subframe of multiple subframes or a resource indicator for a resource that is used for the control information in each subframe of the multiple subframes, each pattern of the preset set of patterns being associated with a corresponding characteristic parameter, the characteristic parameter of the user equipment comprising at least one of a reference signal received power range or a reference signal received power value; and acquiring, by the user equipment, the control information mapped on the resource in each subframe of the multiple subframes according to the first pattern.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pattern corresponds to a control information format used for transmitting the control information in each subframe of the multiple subframes.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the preset set of patterns comprises at least one of: pattern 1: {(4,0), (4,0), (4,0), (4,0)}; or pattern 2: {(8,0), (8,0), (8,0), (8,0)}; wherein pattern 1 indicates that in each subframe, an aggregation level used for transmitting control information is 4, and a control channel element set whose index in search space associated with the aggregation level 4 is 0; pattern 2 indicates that in each subframe, an aggregation level used for transmitting control information is 8, and a control channel element set whose index in search space associated with the aggregation level 8 is
 0. 4. The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising: receiving, by the user equipment from a base station, radio resource control (RRC) broadcast signaling or RRC dedicated signaling, the RRC broadcast signaling or the RRC dedicated signaling including a field or an information element; and determining, by the user equipment, the preset set of patterns according to the field or the information element.
 5. A control information sending method comprising: determining, by a network device, a first pattern corresponding to a characteristic parameter of a user equipment from a preset set of patterns, the first pattern corresponding to one or both of an aggregation level for control information in each subframe of multiple subframes or a resource indicator for a resource that is used for the control information in each subframe of the multiple subframes, each pattern of the preset set of patterns being associated with a corresponding characteristic parameter, the characteristic parameter of the user equipment comprising at least one of a reference signal received power range or a reference signal received power value; determining, by the network device, the resource according to the first pattern; sending, by the network device, the control information mapped to the resource, the sending using a physical channel.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the pattern corresponds to a control information format used for transmitting the control information in each subframe of the multiple subframes.
 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the preset set of patterns comprises at least one of: pattern 1: {(4,0), (4,0), (4,0), (4,0)}; or pattern 2: {(8,0), (8,0), (8,0), (8,0)}; wherein pattern 1 indicates that in each subframe, an aggregation level used for transmitting control information is 4, and a control channel element set whose index in search space associated with the aggregation level 4 is 0; and pattern 2 indicates that in each subframe, an aggregation level used for transmitting control information is 8, and a control channel element set whose index in search space associated with the aggregation level 8 is
 0. 8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: sending, by the network device, to the user equipment, radio resource control (RRC) broadcast signaling or RRC dedicated signaling, the RRC broadcast signaling or the RRC dedicated signaling including a field or an information element, the field or the information element indicating the preset set of patterns.
 9. An apparatus, comprising: a storage medium configured to store program instructions; and one or more processors in communication with the storage medium, the one or more processors execute the program instructions to perform operations comprising: determining a first pattern corresponding to a characteristic parameter of a user equipment from a preset set of patterns, the first pattern corresponding to one or both of an aggregation level for control information in each subframe of multiple subframes or a resource indicator for a resource that is used for the control information in each subframe of the multiple subframes, each pattern of the preset set of patterns being associated with a corresponding characteristic parameter, the characteristic parameter of the user equipment comprising at least one of a reference signal received power range or a reference signal received power value; and acquiring the control information mapped on the resource in each subframe of the multiple subframes according to the first pattern.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pattern corresponds to a control information format used for transmitting the control information in each subframe of the multiple subframes.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the preset set of patterns comprises at least one of: pattern 1: {(4,0), (4,0), (4,0), (4,0)}; or pattern 2: {(8,0), (8,0), (8,0), (8,0)}; wherein pattern 1 indicates that in each subframe, an aggregation level used for transmitting control information is 4, and a control channel element set whose index in search space associated with the aggregation level 4 is 0; pattern 2 indicates that in each subframe, an aggregation level used for transmitting control information is 8, and a control channel element set whose index in search space associated with the aggregation level 8 is
 0. 12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving radio resource control (RRC) broadcast signaling or RRC dedicated signaling from a base station, the RRC broadcast signaling or RRC dedicated signaling including a field or an information element; and determining the preset set of patterns according to the field or the information element.
 13. An apparatus, comprising: a storage medium configured to store program instructions; and one or more processors in communication with the storage medium, the one or more processors execute the program instructions to perform operations comprising: determining a first pattern corresponding to a characteristic parameter of user equipment from a preset set of patterns, the first pattern corresponding to one or both of an aggregation level for control information in each subframe of multiple subframes or a resource indicator for a resource that is for the control information in each subframe of the multiple subframes, each pattern of the preset set of patterns being associated with a corresponding characteristic parameter, the characteristic parameter of the user equipment comprising at least one of a reference signal received power range or a reference signal received power value; determining the resource according to the first pattern; and sending the control information mapped to the resource, using a physical channel.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the pattern corresponds to a control information format that is used for transmitting the control information in each subframe of the multiple subframes.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the preset set of patterns comprises at least one of: pattern 1: {(4,0), (4,0), (4,0), (4,0)}; or pattern 2: {(8,0), (8,0), (8,0), (8,0)}; wherein pattern 1 indicates that in each subframe, an aggregation level used for transmitting control information is 4, and a control channel element set whose index in search space associated with the aggregation level 4 is 0; and pattern 2 indicates that in each subframe, an aggregation level used for transmitting control information is 8, and a control channel element set whose index in search space associated with the aggregation level 8 is
 0. 16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the operations further comprises: sending to a user equipment, radio resource control (RRC) broadcast signaling or RRC dedicated signaling, the RRC broadcast signaling or the RRC dedicated signaling including a field or an information element, the field or the information element indicating the preset set of patterns. 